29.03.2010

Cap conversion - information

Translucent caps on VACUETTE® tubes will be eliminated!

Background:

Laboratory automation is progressing and requirements regarding sample tubes are changing. In the past there have been problems with optical recognition of our VACUETTE® non-ridged caps by the cameras in the laboratory instruments.

As the non-ridged caps are translucent, the colour tone is not as intensive as with the solid coloured tube caps, and the cameras in the instrument cannot always recognise the correct colour.

To ensure a smooth working procedure in the laboratory, it was decided to eliminate the translucent caps!

Benefit:

This will enable a smoother functioning of the automatic sample sorters with cap recognistion system. Cap colour recognition using integrated camera systems will be further optimised. Incorrect reading of colours is prevented as far as possible.

Please note!

If you are working with an automated system (e.g. Beckman Coulter Automate (ex. Olympus OLA), Roche / PVT Sample Sorter, MUT, Pathfinder, etc.) which is equipped with a cap recognition system, please get in touch with the instrument manufacturer. In most cases a software update is necessary. Your local service technician can carry out the adjustments.

Detailed information to different cap colour conversions

Lavender Caps - K3EDTA, K2EDTA, K3EDTA Liquid, K2E Sep
		Cap colour change - both translucent and solid coloured lavender caps will be replaced with a new lavender cap. Reason for complete new colour change is to provide better colour differentiation for people affected with colour blindness.  Lavender: First modified tubes shipped out: 8th of March

Batch No List: Please see which item numbers are affected. By means of the batch number list for you can check the first modified batch of the item numbers

Blue Caps - Coagulation / CTAD
		The non-ridged tube caps will no longer be translucent; the caps will be solid light-blue colour. Light-blue: First modified tubes shipped out: 8th March

Batch No List: Please see which item numbers are affected. By means of the batch number list for you can check the first modified batch of the item numbers

Grey Caps - Glucose
		The non-ridged tube caps will no longer be translucent; the caps will be solid grey colour. Grey: First modified tubes shipped out: 8th March

Batch No List: Please see which item numbers are affected. By means of the batch number list for you can check the first modified batch of the item numbers

Red Caps - Serum
		The non-ridged tube caps will no longer be translucent; the caps will be solid red colour. Red: First modified tubes shipped out: beginning 29th March 2010

Batch No List: Please see which item numbers are affected. By means of the batch number list for you can check the first modified batch of the item numbers

Green Caps - Heparin
		The non-ridged tube caps will no longer be translucent; the caps will be solid green colour. Green: First modified tubes shipped out: starting mid April 2010

Batch No List: Please see which item numbers are affected. By means of the batch number list for you can check the first modified batch of the item numbers

Yellow Caps - Blood Grouping
		The non-ridged tube caps will no longer be translucent; the caps will be solid yellow colour. Yellow: First modified tubes shipped out: starting mid April 2010

Batch No List: Please see which item numbers are affected. By means of the batch number list for you can check the first modified batch of the item numbers

Pink Caps - Crossmatch
		The non-ridged tube caps will no longer be translucent; the caps will be solid pink colour. Pink: First modified tubes shipped out: starting mid April 2010:

Batch No List: Please see which item numbers are affected. By means of the batch number list for you can check the first modified batch of the item numbers

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